[05/16/13 - 08:49 AM]"Chicago Fire" Climbs to Its Top 18-49 Rating Since February 27NBC spins the numbers for Wednesday, May 15.

[via press release from NBC]

Wednesday Primetime Results:

* At 10 p.m. ET, "Chicago Fire" (1.9/5 in adults 18-49, 6.9 million viewers overall) climbed to its top 18-49 rating since February 27. "Chicago Fire" grew versus its prior original for a third consecutive original telecast, up 6 percent versus its 1.8 on May 8, up 12 percent versus its 1.7 on May 1 and up 19 percent versus its 1.6 on April 3. In the time period, "Chicago Fire" is #2 among ABC, CBS and NBC in 18-49, a tenth of a point behind CBS's "CSI," and #1 or tied for #1 among those networks in adults and men 18-34 and women 18-49. Note that "Chicago Fire" is a heavily time-shifted series, with its prior telecast growing by 43 percent going from these next-day "live plus same day" ratings in 18-49 (1.83) to "live plus three day" results (2.62).

* It's the 11th time this season "Chicago Fire" has matched or topped its premiere 1.9 rating in 18-49. The only other new dramas on the broadcast networks to have done it even once are Fox's "The Following" and NBC's "Hannibal" (once each). It's also the 11th time "Chicago Fire" has topped its premiere audience of 6.6 million, while the only other new drama on the broadcast networks to have done it even once this season is "Hannibal

* "Chicago Fire" grew from its first half-hour to its second in 18-49 rating (to a 2.0 from a 1.9), despite the 10 p.m. hour, moving into first place among ABC, CBS and NBC from 10:30-11. "Chicago Fire" is the only 10 p.m. drama on ABC, CBS and NBC this season to have grown on average from its first half-hour to its second.

* At 9 p.m. ET, "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (1.5/4 in adults 18-49, 6.4 million viewers overall) grew from its first half-hour to its second in every key ratings category, including gains of 14 percent in adults 18-49 (to a 1.6 from a 1.4) and 10 percent in total viewers (6.7 million vs. 6.1 million). Note that "Law & Order: SVU" adds significant viewership through time-shifting, with its prior telecast growing by 31 percent going from these next-day "live plus same day" ratings in 18-49 (1.89) to "live plus three day" results (2.48).

* At 8 p.m. ET, the first Wednesday "Dateline NBC" in three weeks(1.3/4 in 18-49, 5.8 million viewers overall) matched the show's previous 18-49 result and equaled the top "Dateline" rating since April 3. It's also the top Wednesday "Dateline" in total viewers since April 3. "Dateline" grew from its first half-hour to its second by 8 percent in adults 18-49 (to a 1.3 rating from a 1.2), by 19 percent in women 18-49 (1.9 vs. 1.6) and by 9 percent in total viewers (6.0 million vs. 5.5 million).